The Breast Cancer Radio Arts Project
Portland, OR, 2002
A breast cancer epidemic has been raging for nearly two decades, but there is much misinformation about the survivability of breast cancer, its long-term effects and the efficacy of different support group models. Though much has been done to educate the public about early detection of breast cancer through self-checks and mammograms, there has been little discussion about what it means to be a breast cancer survivor.
KBOO partnered with Project Quest on The Breast Cancer Radio Arts Project, a multifaceted radio project focusing on the societal, cultural, community and economic costs of living with breast cancer from the points of view of survivors, families and friends. Project Quest is a community-based integrative health and wellness center.
Key components of this project included a series of ten 90-minute live radio call-in programs on KBOO featuring cancer survivors and counselors, and health care providers from Project Quest and other Oregon cancer centers. Producers Dmae Roberts (MediaRites) and Barbara Bernstein (Media Project) acted as mentors to five trainees who produced their first national features. One feature, "Gusto Women" was chosen as a Finalist for the 2004 NFCB Awards. Collectively, these emerging producers created six radio stories that aired on KBOO. "Gusto Women" by mentee Kate Welch aired on the national program, "51 Percent".
Another key component was a series of eight outreach arts workshops and a weekend arts retreat conducted by MediaRites and Project Quest with 25 breast cancer survivors. Material from these workshops was collected and recorded for the one-hour documentary, "The Breast Cancer Monologues".
The finale of this project was a two-hour community event that includes a live remote radio broadcast, art show and series of performances. The radio broadcast featured a panel of breast cancer survivors, their friends, family and care providers.
This joint project of KBOO and Project Quest was a community-building event that heightened awareness about breast cancer. The project was promoted through consistent on-air announcements, in the local print media and through advertising in newspapers.
Contact Information
The Breast Cancer Radio Arts Project
Barbara Bernstein, Project Co-Director and Co-Producer
Tel:KBOO 503-231-8032, Studio 503-235-2623
Project Quest
Lusijah Marx, Clinical Psychologist
Tel:503-238-5203
Dmae Roberts
Co-Director and Co-Producer
Tel:503-233-2919
Awards:
KBOO Round Four
$4,350
—Oregon Council for the Humanities
KBOO Round Three
Golden Reel for Local Documentary, "The Breast Cancer Monologues" produced by Dmae Roberts and Mediarites
— 2005 NFCB Golden Reel Awards
Clarion Award for "The Breast Cancer Monologues" produced by Dmae Roberts and Mediarites
— Women in Communications
$7,000
— Regional Arts and Culture Council
$5,631
— Oregon Arts Commission